Pastor Appreciation 2022 - Remarks

Remarks

The Gift of a Pastor

October, all across the Christian community is observed as Pastor Appreciation month. With today being Pastor Appreciation Day.

And, at New Life Rector, we make sure that when we get the opportunity to show a little love to our pastor, we don’t pass that opportunity up! HOW MANY LOVE YOUR PASTOR AND PASTOR’S WIFE?!

I want them, if they would, to come and sit together for a minute today.

Let me cite what the Word of God says about Pastors:

Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV

15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Hebrews 13:17 NKJV

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

There is absolutely no doubt that a Pastor and a Pastor’s wife are a direct gift from God. It said “He Himself gave pastors.” They are a gift from the Lord that we should recognize like any other gift from God!

Over the years, this church has always worked to make the Pastor’s job easier and show our love. From all the way back when people didn’t necessarily have money to buy something, but what they did do, is they would bring the Pastor at Rector some farm fresh eggs or milk. Vegetables.

There are stories going back to when the pastoring family’s washer or dryer went out, somebody heard about it, and all of a sudden, a new one showed up.

Our church has been KNOWN FOR this type of thing. So much so that Bro. Hamby will still, to this day, tell you exactly what I’m telling you right now. And he’ll also say that because of how well they were treated, he’s not so sure they should’ve left so soon.

And part of the reason we do all this and recognize them today is because we want their job in watching over us to be able to be done with joy and not with grief! They are there for us, so we want to be there for them!!!

And there’s also this verse:

Romans 13:7 NKJV

7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

And we want to give some honor where it’s due!

One thing that I appreciate about both Pastor and Sis. LaRue is the incredible amount of wisdom that is there. You’ve seen it. When you need an encouraging or an honest moment of needing “pastored”, they are there.

I can tell you, in so many ways, I am here because these two have invested in me.

But while that godly wisdom is certainly there, I’m also thankful for how real and how human these two are. They are family to us.

I got tickled yesterday during our ministers meeting here at the church… we were talking about spiritual things and Pastor was just imparting such great things and we were feeling the Holy Ghost. And… at some point later on… Pastor was opening a drawer on his desk. And he was struggling with it trying to get it to open. And Bro. March was there, and he said, “Pastor, can I help? I think there’s a box blocking the drawer from opening.” And Pastor LaRue said, “Yeah, there is. That’s what I’m after.” And when he pulled the box out, it was a box of Nutty Buddy bars. That was his stash drawer!

And then there was the debacle at McDonald’s the other night…

A lot of wisdom, incredible amount of wisdom… but so real, too!

Personal Messages from Saints

And, every year, I’m the one talking about all this. And I know you probably get tired of hearing me talk. So… I’m going to let someone else talk a little bit.

This year, I took some time to ask a few saints to submit their own words to describe just how they feel about their Pastor:

“I would like to let my pastor… Bro. and Sis. LaRue… know how much I love and appreciate them… I appreciate the wonderful Word He brings out in the scriptures and how they stand for Truth. I trust in their prayers. I know they have great love for God and the Church!”

“Brother Phillip and Sister Kim LaRue: what special people you truly are! I am so thankful to have leaders who are so fully grounded on the truth of Jesus and His word. You are wise and trustworthy and your integrity is unmatched. Your faithfulness to God, your family, and the church sets a shining example for everyone under your direction. Thank you for your prayers, your vision, and for being a couple who is after God’s own heart! May God bless you, keep you, and grant your hearts’ desires! We love you!!!”

“When we began coming to this church, I felt at the time like I was a failure, but this great man of God allowed me to see that God had a plan and that I was not a failure, but growing. Our first lady accepted us with open arms and showed so much love as did our Pastor. We would not be where we are with God, had it not been for our Pastor and first lady’s ministry, phenomenal teaching, and blessed, powerful anointing. We love you both so very much and thank y’all for accepting us!”

“I cannot even begin to describe my love and appreciation for Bro. Phillip and Sis. Kim. But I pray that time will tell all. They are a blessing of godly influence that I don’t take for granted. Their continual investing extends to me a sense of belonging. ‘Thank you’ is not enough. Influence: integrity, nurtures, faith-builders, listens, understands, encouragers, navigators, connects, empowers.”

“There is a group of specially trained Navy seamen whose motto is ‘So that others might live.’ The first time I heard this, my thought was, ‘That sounds like a pastor.’ When I came to New Life I learned just how closely Bro. Phillip and Sis. Kim live as those Navy Seamen. The Lord brought me to New Life at a time when I was desperate for Him and truth. From the first time I met them, I knew they loved Jesus and they loved me. I thank Jesus every day for Bro. Phillip and Sis. Kim. And I can’t thank them enough for the countless hours they have spent listening to, walking with, and praying for me and my family. I’ve been under the leadership of a pastor all my life, but truly, I have never been pastored by two who are so dedicated to helping others live. I love you both dearly!”

“I love the LaRue’s because they truly love and care for their congregation just like family. They have been with us in the hospital ministering to us when Brother LaRue was still a patient and not well himself. They have stood by us in faith and prayed for us when we were too distressed and the battle was great. They have been to family graduations and weddings. They are steadfast and they know how to touch the throne of God with their prayers. We greatly appreciate our pastor and pastor’s wife!”

When I was driving Bro. Caleb Herring back to the airport in Little Rock that Sunday evening, we talked a great bit in that time. Talked about some deep things. And, for that long a drive, you can talk the whole way. I remember at one point, it had gotten quiet, and all of sudden… Bro. Herring… so solemnly and pointedly… looked at me and said this: “Your Pastor (your father)… is a GREAT MAN. Sis. LaRue, your mother, is a GREAT WOMAN. They are mighty people.”

And can I tell you that, the only thing I could say in response to that, was what anyone would say: “You’re absolutely right.”

Gifts from New Life Rector

We have a gift for both Pastor and Sis. LaRue from New Life that we want to give them right now, and I’m about to pass this thing off to them…

But in addition to what we are giving here, if you want to personally bless Pastor LaRue this month, there is going to be a post on our Facebook page you can see once service is over, where you can follow the link and give a digital gift card to Pastor LaRue to his favorite bible study software. The instructions are all there in the post. I encourage you to check that out, because we know he’ll love it.

But, I also want to encourage you to personally thank them at some point this month, because I’m telling you we are BLESSED, and we LOVE this wonderful, anointed couple who lead New Life Rector!

Would you help me out right now and stand to your feet to give a round of applause to these two?! We love you, Pastor and Sis. LaRue!!!